Griffons edge gutsy Griquas CD
Griquas CD got onto the board in the fourth minute when Ivan Lombaard slammed home a lengthy penalty but the Griffons his back two minutes later thanks to an Andrew Kota try. He failed with the conversion though but the Griffons had a 5-3 lead.
Lombaard regained the lead for Griquas CD in the 13th minute with another successful penalty. 6-5 to Griquas CD.
It become a mighty arm-wrestle from that point, with the Griffons having the upperhand by pinning Griquas CD inside their half of the field. However, There seemed to be no way through as the Northern Cape youngsters foiled numerous threats on their line.
The Griffons' patience would pay off soon though as after numerous phases and continuity, Gift Dlamini found space on the outside to dot down. Kota slotted the tricky conversion to ensure a 12-6 lead after 26 minutes.
That seemed to spark the them into life and grabbed their third try two minutes later through Michael Janse van Rensburg, who rounded off a free flowing team effort. Kota failed with the conversion attempt but the lead stretched to 17-6.
Dlamini grabbed his second try of the match when he broke through Griquas CD's defence to score under the uprights. Kota converted and the lead was 24-6 after 31 minutes. GriquasCD had the last say of the half though when Byron Coetzee displayed immense speed to go over unopposed.
Lombaard converted to reduce the deficit to 13-24 at the break.
Lombaard's boot was on song as he slotted two early second half penalties to cut into the Griffons' lead, that now sat at 24-19 after 40 minutes. The Griffons hit back with a five-pointer in the 44th minute when, after some sustained pressure, Marko Labuschagne went through a gap to get over.
Kota's conversion hit the upright but the lead was extended to 29-19. Lombaard managed to pull three points back for Griquas CD in the 47th minute with his fifth penalty of the match. 29-22 to the Griffons.
Things turned scrappy from that point and it took 13 minutes before the next points were scored. Lombaard slotting a 40 metre penalty to ensure a four-point game with nine minutes remaining in the contest.
Lubabalo Mteyisi ended the match as a contest with two minutes remaining when he got over in the corner. Kota once again failed with the extras but the Griffons' lead was 34-25. Griquas CD looked for a late consolation score and found it through Daniel Oberholzer to set up a nervy finish.
Lombaard added the extras and there was time for one final play but nothing materialised as the Griffons bagged the win.
Scorers:
For Griffons:
Tries: Andrew Kota, Gift Dlamini 2, Michael Janse van Rensburg, Marko Labuschagne, Lubabalo Mteyisi
Cons: Andrew Kota 2
For Griquas CD:
Tries: Byron Coetzee, Daniel Oberholzer
Cons: Ivan Lombaard 2
Pens: Ivan Lombaard 6
Teams:
Griffons: Marko Labuschagne, Andréw Kota, Lubabalo Mteyisi, Jason Wagman, Wian van Staden, Dealine Jafta, Richman Gora, Gift Dlamini, Jan Scheepers, Kyle Els, Pieter van der Westhuizen, DJ Hattingh, Francois Klopper, Reinard van der Vyver, Winrich Kennedy,Duke Jantjies, Ruben Breedt JW Meades, Dian de Beer, Michael Janse van Rensburg, Jason Roux, Thruimp Baloyi, David Essen.
Griquas Country District: Mpho Molaolwa, Sabastian Jobb, Jacques Page, Devan Walters, Oscar van Wyk, Ivan Lombaard, Etiene le Roux, Johan Geldenhuys, Johannes Terblanche, Ruan Visser, Rudolph Oberholzer, Jovan Oosthuizen, Gerhard Gregory, Telehessien Dick, Zian Augustyn, Waylin Cloete, Wilfred Saunderson, Hermanus Fourie, Hanlu Kotze, Warren Ventura, Connie de Jager, Delron Speelman, Byron Coetzee.
Referee: Egon Seconds
Assistant referees: Mpho Matsaung, Jaco Pretorius
TMO: Joey Klaaste-Salmans